From NASA to NSA to Science Center: The Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute | NC Weekend

An old Cold War spy station in the Appalachian Mountains now operates as an educational nonprofit and International Dark Sky Place. Rebecca Ward travels to western North Carolina to unravel the mysteries of the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute (PARI) and explore its many modern delights for families.
PARI is a nonprofit public foundation established in 1998. Located in the Pisgah Forest 30 miles southwest of Asheville, NC, the PARI campus is a dark-sky location for astronomy. In 1962, NASA selected it as the East Coast tracking station for crewed space flights.
Today, the 200-acre campus houses radio and optical telescopes, earth science instruments, 30 buildings, a full-time staff, and all the infrastructure necessary to support STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education, research, and public outreach. PARI offers educational programs at all levels, from K-12 through post-graduate research. The institute is affiliated with the 16-campus University of North Carolina system through PARSEC, a UNC Center hosted at PARI. It is also a member of the NC Grassroots Museum Collaborative.
For more information about PARI and its programs, visit www.pari.edu/.
Credits:
Host, Producer, Editor, Motion GFX Designer: Rebecca Ward
Director of Photography: Dan Powers
Videographers: Emily Frachtling, Bob Gunter
Drone: Bob Gunter
Executive Producer of NC Weekend: David Hardy
Executive Producer of Original Productions: Heather Burgiss
Special Thanks:
The Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute
Brad McCall
NC Weekend
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[@NayFongify]

This is an informative and enticing representation of some really crazy (cool) parts of our past!! I’m definitely going. NSA fields stations are super cool historic sites, I’m so pleased to know more. You’re so cool

[@thebrickhiker]

I've lived nearby this place for many years and have always been curious about its history and underground tunnels. So cool you got to tour the tunnels! I wish that was open to the public! Excellent video and and clearly I need to check this place out in person asap!

[@jlayfield]

I am in NC and an avid amateur Astronomer..I must visit this facility and spend a night or 3